British Virgin Islands

JOST VAN DYKE BVI Customs & Immigration offices are located in Great Harbour near the public dock. MARINAS: North Latitude Marina (fuel, water, ice - NO DOCKAGE) PUBLIC MOORINGS: Great Harbour, Little Harbour and Diamond Cay

IT IS EASY TO CLEAR BVI CUSTOMS and Immigration at Great Harbour. The office is located right on the beach and a short walk down a sandy path brings you to Foxy's Bar. Around the next bend you'll find Little Harbour. Dine and dance, eat lobster at Harris' Place or Sydney's.

Snorkel and swim at Green Cay or Sandy Cay right off Jost. These little islands are the ones you dream about (paradise found) with white sands and a few palms for shade, and a perfect lunch stop on your way to Cane Garden Bay or points further east.

TORTOLA BVI Customs & Immigration offices are located in West End at the ferry terminal.

THIS IS THE LARGEST BVI ISLAND and Roadtown is the main town. You'll find several good grocery stores and a few shops with unique merchandise.

West End Tortola is the place to clear in and out of BVI Customs & Immigration if not doing so on Jost Van Dyke. There's a marina with many shops, Pusser's Restaurant, and the Jolly Roger pub is nearby.

On the south side, you may spend a night in Fat Hogs Bay. There's a good grocery store, a marine store, and dive shop. On the north side of the island, a stop at Cane Garden Bay is always fun, and if you are here for full moon and want a wild evening out, the Bomba Shack is the spot (take a taxi from Cane Garden Bay).

Heading east you'll pass Guana Island, and Monkey Point (a great lunch and snorkel spot). Plan to spend a night at Trellis Bay and dine at Da Loose Mongoose (Sunday is BBQ and music night) or the famous Last Resort (every night is a show that is unique, and they are famous for their singing chef - check in on the VHF or go ashore to make a reservation. There is only one seating). If you don't stop in Trellis Bay, head to Marina Cay where there is a lively Pusser's Restaurant, or just across on Scrub Island, you'll find quieter dining (see below).

NORTH OF TORTOLA Heading east along the north side of Tortola you'll pass Guana Island and Monkey Point (a great lunch and snorkel spot). Plan to spend a night at Trellis Bay off Beef Island and dine at Da Loose Mongoose (Sunday is BBQ and music night) or the famous Last Resort (every night is a show that is unique with full buffet dinner - check in on the VHF or go ashore to make a reservation and confirm the time. There is only one seating).

MARINA CAY MARINA: fUEL, WATER, ICE, NO DOCKAGE

If you don't stop in Trellis Bay, head to Marina Cay where there is a lively Pusser's Restaurant. While here, be sure to visit the historic Robb White house on top of this lovely 8 acre island, where the porch bar features a daily happy hour and entertainment. Marina Cay features two restaurants and a nightly BBQ with a breathtaking 360 degree view on top of the island.

If you’re ready for a marina and some luxury time ashore, it’s time to visit Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina. The spa has a full-service menu to pamper your exterior, and multiple bars and restaurants will refresh your appetite. There is also a gourmet market and boutique, for a high-end shopping break.

A NIGHT IN A MARINA to refresh the crew, provisions, water supply etc. may be a good thing. Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor is a lovely facility with shops, casual dining in the marina, or tasty dinners just up the street at Chez Bamboo (Monica is a great chef and there is music some nights too).

Explore the Baths! It is best to start at the marina and take a short taxi ride or hike (about 2 miles) to The Baths for a swim and snorkel. When the north swell is up or the tradewinds are strong, you won't be comfortable on a mooring and you may swamp your dinghy trying to go ashore.

North Sound is a for-sure stop. Eat and drink at the Bitter End, Saba Rock, or the low key Fat Virgin's at Biras Creek (with a name like that, how can you pass it up). Explore the area by dinghy and visit the Sand Box on Prickly Pear. If you want to try windsurfing, this is an ideal location. Top off your provisions, water, or dinghy fuel at the Bitter End or Saba Rock Dock.

COOPER ISLAND NO MARINAS PUBLIC MOORINGS: Machioneel Bay

MANCHIONEEL BAY is home of the Cooper Island Beach Club, casual dining, and a great beach to hang out on. Be sure to plan an early arrival. This is a popular anchorage and the moorings are taken early. There is limited space for safe anchoring.

SALT ISLAND NO MARINAS NO PUBLIC MOORINGS

THE WRECK OF THE RHONE lies off Salt Island and has been a favorite of divers for decades. Many dive shops in the BVI offer "Rendezvous Diving". This means you schedule a dive with them and they meet your boat at the designated anchorage, gear and all. If you are only planning a few dives during your charter, this is the way to go. No extra gear to find storage room for below and no worrying about having enough water to rinse it off, and no need to plan your trip around shops and fill stations. Give Blue Waters Divers or Dive BVI in Tortola a call on the radio and plan ahead. Salt Island is well known for "salt". You'll find it in several shops throughout the BVI, and it is truly a unique and natural souvenir.

GINGER ISLAND NO MARINAS NO PUBLIC MOORINGS

Ginger Island does not have any marinas or suitable anchorages. It is the last of the larger islands in the chain before reaching Round rock, Fallen Jeruselam and the Baths on Virgin Gorda.

PETER ISLAND YACHT CLUB offers slips, water, ice, fuel and elegant dining! This is one of the few establishments in the Virgins that has a dress code and requires a jacket for gents and reservations. If the weather is right, anchoring off Deadman's Bay on a calm day is spectacular and a perfect spot for dinner aboard your own boat. Great Harbor is also a beautiful spot.

NORMAN ISLAND NO MARINAS PUBLIC MOORINGS: The Bight, Privateer Bay

RUMORED TO BE THE "TREASURE ISLAND" of Robinson Crusoe fame, The Bight is a favorite stopover. Wine and dine at the William Thornton floating restaurant for steaks, fish and rotis, and sometimes a wild time. Or, visit Pirate's Bight, another popular shoreside watering hole, where you'll find everyone who isn't at the Willy T.

Snorkel the caves on Norman, a unique spot and favorite of pelicans. The Indians (a great day-time stop) not too far away, offer great snorkeling and diving. You'll see some spectacular views of St John from this location and a dramatic view up the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

ABOUT PUBLIC MOORINGS: Moorings in the USVI are in National Park Waters. The fee is $15 per night, and is payable at marked locations on shore.

Moorings in the BVI are mostly $30/night. MOST PUBLIC MOORINGS ARE LABELED "MOOR-SEACURE"***. This is the name of the company that installed these moorings. (Moorings without the MOOR-SEACURE label are private, and should not be picked up.) The fees are collected by local businesses (usually restaurants). The name of the business handling the moorings is usually painted on the mooring ball itself. It is best to check in with the establishment on shore and pay your fee. In some bays, a representative from the establishment will dinghy out to the boats in the anchorage and collect fees.

***Note: at The Bight on Norman Island, public moorings are not by Moor-Seacure. There are conical shaped markers for moorings managed by Pirate's Bight, and round markers for moorings managed by a different company (may not be labeled).

These are just a few highlights of the cruising area. There are many fine island publications that provide more details of the islands hot spots and cool spots and details about marina facilities. Since we all live here year-round and sail where you will sail, our staff is one of the best resoures for trip planning!

ANEGADAHave you heard about the lobster at the Anegada Reef Hotel and the gorgeous beach at Loblolly Bay? If you are interested in, and qualified for, the crossing to Anegada you should READ THIS FORM. If after reading the form you want to proceed, print the form, sign it, and send it to our reservation office with your other paperwork - fax it or scan it and email it. All vessels in our fleet are allowed to make the trip to Anegada.

If you have concerns about navigating to this flat island with its surrounding reefs, you can still experience Anegada by hiring one of our skippers for this adventure.